TPC-C is a benchmark that some of us love to hate. It's too old, it's too big, it takes so many resources. But in the end, TPC-C is great to have as a proof point, with all of the detailed performance data behind it.

IBM published an outstanding TPC-C result today on an x3850 X5 system. The IBM result was 27% greater than HP's top DL580 result and the highest ever x86-64 score (1). IBM's eX5 result used MAX5, an industry-first technology that decouples memory from the processor allowing for the unique capability to expand memory independently of the processor to increase the productivity of a single system.

The TPC-C benchmark simulates an order-entry environment of a wholesale supplier -- entering and delivering orders, recording payments, checking the status of orders, and monitoring the level of stock at the warehouses. What's so valuable here is that TPC-C represents truly any industry that must manage, sell, or distribute a product or service.

So whatever business we are in, we can take any of our industry applications to the MAX.